Ojha praises Rohit's captaincy

Mumbai left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha was all praise for Rohit Sharma for his calm approach, saying the young captain has handled the pressures of captaincy well.

Sepaking after Mumbai's comprehensive 65 run win against Kolkata, Ojha said Rohit has inspired a lot of confidence as captain.

"He is very cool on the field. He takes his own decision. We have a few seniors and as a youngster when a senior says something, there is a little bit of pressure but he handles it very well. And he is very calm and composed," Ojha told reporters at the post match press conference.

"He always tells you, you have to get me couple of wickets. As a captain it is important when he comes and gives you lot of confidence. So you open out as a bowler," he said.

After posted a commanding 170/6, Mumbai bowled out Kolkata Knight Riders for 105 to register a comfortable win. While mentioning that it was a good wicket to bat on, Ojha said his team posted a challenging total.

"Mumbai got a very good wicket to bat on. Especially (considering that the wicket in) the last couple of games -- the last game and this game -- was a bit slow. Getting 170 with our bowling, it was something challenging for Kolkata," he said.

"We have got a very good batting line-up. Anyone who walks in, has got some amount of experience behind him, so we were confident."

Speaking about his bowling performance, Ojha who picked up two wickets, said his approach is to keep things simple.

"I keep things simple and vary the pace and spin the ball. Normally in this format, I have seen the bowlers bowl really fast, so they cut down on turning the ball. People like Anil Kumble, when you have (as a mentor), his experience always helps you," Ojha said.

"He has told me to vary the pace. In second innings there is a lot of dew on the wicket, so if you bowl fast, it becomes easy for a batsman to clear the boundary. When you are bowling slow, he has to use a lot of power, he has to go on top of the ball to hit it. There is a lot involved for a batsman when you are bowling slow," he said.

Asked is Kolkata did the right thing by leaving out Sachitra Senanayake on a pitch that was assisting the spinners, Ojha said: "The wicket was a little slow and holding up a bit and turning, so may be another spinner would have been some sort of an advantage for them."

Ojha said dismissing the dangerous Yusuf Pathan was crucial for the hosts.

"He is known for his big hitting, he would have played a crucial role. Getting him out at that point of time was crucial," he said, adding that the team had chalked out plans for the top-order batsmen as well.

Left out of the Indian squad for next month's Champions Trophy, Ojha said he just wants to focus on taking wickets.

"The selection is not in my hands. I have got a ball, I have got a ground and I have to go and perform, and I am doing that. I am happy and I am positive about it. As long as I am performing, I am really happy and in good space."

"The selection is something I shouldn't be thinking about, that is what I have told myself. I am just focusing on taking wickets. At some point of time, I might get a nod," he said.